Bike quit 4 times on my way home!!! ANY THOUGHTS???

[kylec250]

I've had the bike 2 weeks and im already about to give up and sell it. I need help and advice please!!

On my way home today my 03 mastiff died 4 times. Each time had the symptoms of low fuel, sputter, wouldn't take throttle, then died. I had about 1/2 a tank left. Each time i turned it to res. tank, no change, still died. After setting for about 1 minute it would start and run on res tank or regular. I would ride about 1/2 mile down the road then the same thing, sputter and die. No loose wires or connections anywhere that i can see. Im not a big dog pro but im pretty mechanicaly inclined and this bike is nothing but a pain in my ass so far. Tail light wires rubbing through on tire, starter wont engage most of the time (just spins free) and now bike dies on me. It has 3500 miles on it and is in excellent shape. Any words of wisdom or advice? My only thought was maybe the fuel tank wasn't venting properly causing suction and starving it of fuel.

 

[TLB08K9]

I've had the bike 2 weeks and im already about to give up and sell it. I need help and advice please!!

On my way home today my 03 mastiff died 4 times. Each time had the symptoms of low fuel, sputter, wouldn't take throttle, then died. I had about 1/2 a tank left. Each time i turned it to res. tank, no change, still died. After setting for about 1 minute it would start and run on res tank or regular. I would ride about 1/2 mile down the road then the same thing, sputter and die. No loose wires or connections anywhere that i can see. Im not a big dog pro but im pretty mechanicaly inclined and this bike is nothing but a pain in my ass so far. Tail light wires rubbing through on tire, starter wont engage most of the time (just spins free) and now bike dies on me. It has 3500 miles on it and is in excellent shape. Any words of wisdom or advice? My only thought was maybe the fuel tank wasn't venting properly causing suction and starving it of fuel.

It is very possible that your gas cap is not venting properly or trash in the fuel line, not sure if the older bikes had fuel filters but I know my 08 did not come with one.
Gas man actually posted a thread on here showing the amount of trash in the bottom of his tank when he drained it. Best of luck to you and hang in there.

 

[barhopper]

Search gas cap venting, that is probably your problem. My 04 bulldog did the same thing, I took out the guts in the gas cap, all was good after that.

 

[BBChopper]

Yup gas cap vent! :down:

 

[ricklg2]

I also have a 03 Mastiff (4,000 miles) and the samething happened to me the day after I bought my bike. Are you filling both sides of the fuel tank. That was my problem, once I filled both side all was good. You have to fill the left side first then the right. The rightside is vented but the left side isn't so filling this way helps make sure you get a full tank. Also the left side is left hand threaded so you must turn it clockwise to open it. On the starter issue the bike is high compression and must have a 100% charged battery or you'll have problems at times starting it. I had the same problem here as well. Once I started keeping my battery charged up 100% I have had no more problems. I'm not saying these are the fix to your problems but they might help.

You got a great looking bike and you will love it and you'll get all kinds of attention and ohhhhs and ahhhhhhs. So don't give up just yet. My bike looks alot like yours but mine has two tone green flames. Hope you get it sorted out...good luck!

 

[narow37]

yep, sounds like gas cap venting problem. take apart, clean, put back together and try it.

 

[Bocephus05]

Or, just take the cap off and see if that cures your ailment.If it runs fine with the cap off, replace or repair it.

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah it could be rubbish in the tank... like mine had sandblasting sand in it

But a pingle fixed that!

But as they said... maybe remove the guts in the gas cap like this...

 

[Throttle Jockey]

Probaly not the problem but i did this that sounded like your problem.

I forgot one day and left my enrichener up half way. It didn;t take long for the same symptoms as you describe showed up. I know this might not be the problem as the gas cap thing sounds more logical but check your enrichener and make sure it's down.

TJ

 

[mcgroom]

Not trying to be a smart ass but the first thing I would do before anything else is fill the tank up with gas and see what happens.

I ran her dry 2x's when I first got her because I was not keeping track of miles like I should have. Always sounded like I had plenty of gas when I would lean from side to side checking.

If you have a full tank, full charge on the battery, plugs aren't fouled from crankin and crankin and the bike still won't run right, then start checking for something different.

Just my 2 cents.

Don't get overly frustrated....grab a beverage and get on the web site.

Start doing searches and read as much as you have time to.

With some patience, you should have most of your problems pin pointed if not solved by the time you finish your drink.

 

[bigdogmac]

Sounds like you definantly have a fuel problem, although I have a 200 prosport and had numerous faults when I bought it about 3 months ago. first it had a faulty ignition wire in the ignition housing ( it would run for 10 or 20 mins then cut off), but it would start back up after about 10mins then I could ride about a mile then cut off again bad ignition (cram ignition) put in by the prior owner. but that replaced and things are fine. during that trouble shooting process I found out that my right take wasn't sending fuel to the left take due to rust and junk in the tank I think it was left low while at the dealer and moister built up and rusted parts of it which clog the drain hole, once that was cleaned out my troubles went away. have to admitt it was a pain in the ass but hang in there its got to be something simple and I would try the cap problem 1st its the easy one if that don't work then move on. Take care and good luck finding the problem... Bigdogmac:up: :up:

 

[Gas Man]

Don't get overly frustrated....grab a beverage and get on the web site.

Start doing searches and read as much as you have time to.

With some patience, you should have most of your problems pin pointed if not solved by the time you finish your drink.

I tell ya, when I was building the phoenix, I had to step away a few times... when it gets too be too much or you just want to knock it over... best to walk away... let it soak in, think thru it and then go back to the bike with a game plan.

 

[Can-Dog1]

Sounds like an air lock to me. Venting problem with the left side of the Mastiff Tank. I would guess you've only been filling the right side of the tank thinking it will fill both sides equally. You need to fill both sides during the same fill.